Senior Shamrocks vying for top spot in WLA

Having posted a pair of convincing wins in their last two Western Lacrosse Association games to pull back into the lead, at least based on winning percentage, the Victoria Shamrocks are primed for this Friday’s rematch at home against the Maple Ridge Burrards.

The teams have split their two meetings this season – Victoria won 12-10 on the mainland back on June 12, while Maple Ridge won the same score in Colwood on June 3. So the Shamrocks will be looking to reverse the trend by beating the Burrards at The Q Centre.

Continuing to show that the nine-day break in the schedule helped, Victoria followed up a 15-6 win in Langley last Wednesday with a 15-5 humbling of the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs on Friday night.

The locals were paced with a six-goal performance by Rhys Duch – a double hat trick from the team’s newly married star – and an outstanding outing from newly acquired goaltender Adam Shute.

The netminder made some huge point-blank saves on the night, he contributed on offence, launching three long lead-man passes that led to Shamrocks goals, including two by a streaking Chris Wardle.

While they enjoyed a slim 3-2 lead after the opening period, Victoria kicked it into high gear in the second. Corey’s second of three goals came just 29 seconds in and was followed by the first of the Shute to Wardle combos to make it 5-2.

Coquitlam’s Reid Reinholdt got one back to make it 5-3, but that was the closest the Adanacs could come, as Victoria extended the lead to 10-3 after two. Also scoring for the Shamrocks were Jeff Shattler and Ian McShane with two each, while the deadly passing of Cory Conway saw him record seven assists on the night.

Ryan Johnson had three goals to lead the Adanacs, while Reinholdt had the other two.

Victoria made life miserable for Coquitlam starting goalie Dan Lewis, who was bowled over in goalmouth scrambles on three separate occasions. He was replaced by Josh Phillips late in the second period.

Shute made 46 saves in all.

This Friday’s game gets underway at 7:45 p.m. at The Q Centre. It’s Speed Meets Green night, when the first 500 fans in the building will receive a family admission and a tailgate barbecue pass to Western Speedway.